Cycling question
- Thread starter DMan0986
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It's pretty variable. Depending on the local conditions of your tank, the percentage of live rock from your old setup, etc- anywhere from 1-8 weeks. 1-3 weeks would be more common. Whatever you do, make sure you test yourself- people like to throw out numbers all the time of what "should/would" happen, but unfortunately we get a lot of dead fish/coral that way 
. Always make sure you're particular box of water is ready and not a theoretical average. I would always be cautious of someone trying to sell you on "their way" or the "right way"- they don't have to clean up your mess when things go south down the road.
If time is of the essence, there are certain bacterial additives you could add to speed the process along. It's up to you whether you want to use them, they would reduce the time to days or a couple weeks in most cases.
If you're dry rock is previously used, make sure to cure it before using it
. Always make sure you're particular box of water is ready and not a theoretical average. I would always be cautious of someone trying to sell you on "their way" or the "right way"- they don't have to clean up your mess when things go south down the road. If time is of the essence, there are certain bacterial additives you could add to speed the process along. It's up to you whether you want to use them, they would reduce the time to days or a couple weeks in most cases.
If you're dry rock is previously used, make sure to cure it before using it
Bryn
Valuable Member
I think @andrewey nailed it. I like using an API ammonia kit as it is cheap and does the job, not that interested in ppm, but the color change, up and down. I generally use Janitorial ammonia at 10%, dose to 2ppm on first day, and let it go. I test just after first ammonia application for color reference, then about 5-7 days later check ammonia level for color change. If "zero" dose back to 2 ppm, wait two days and test, if "zero" after two days, dose to 2ppm and test 24 hrs later, if "zero" then you are almost done.
With water and rock from your old tank, should go quickly, but like Andrewey said, every tank is different, pH, Alkalinity, Temp can affect the rate.
Notice I said "Zero", and the words "almost done" in inverted commas, vague I know, but you already have a tank so have an idea of the process, nothing is absolute, that is why I let my tanks if time allows another week to keep maturing.
With water and rock from your old tank, should go quickly, but like Andrewey said, every tank is different, pH, Alkalinity, Temp can affect the rate.
Notice I said "Zero", and the words "almost done" in inverted commas, vague I know, but you already have a tank so have an idea of the process, nothing is absolute, that is why I let my tanks if time allows another week to keep maturing.
